Listen Up! Podcast: Navigating the triple threat to maritime operations

Written by Heather Ervin

Tommy Mikkelsen

As maritime operations become increasingly complex, vessel operators are navigating more than crowded waterways. Aging bridge systems, growing vessel traffic and the rise of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) jamming and spoofing are creating new challenges for safe and resilient navigation.

In the latest episode of Listen Up!, Marine Log Editor in Chief Heather Ervin sits down with Tommy Mikkelsen of Trelleborg Marine & Infrastructure to discuss how these converging risks are reshaping navigation and what shipowners, operators and ports can do to strengthen operational resilience.

During the conversation, Mikkelsen explains how aging navigation equipment, congested waterways and electronic interference are interacting to create new vulnerabilities across the maritime industry. He also explores why navigation modernization should be viewed as more than a technology upgrade, arguing that it has become a critical investment in safety, operational continuity and resilience.

The discussion also examines practical strategies for improving navigation, including the benefits of modular bridge modernization, approaches to mitigating GNSS jamming and spoofing, and how operators are balancing cybersecurity, regulatory compliance and crew workload while implementing new technologies.

As electronic threats continue to evolve and maritime traffic grows more complex, reliable navigation depends not only on modern equipment but also on thoughtful integration, crew readiness and resilient operating practices.

Listen to the full episode of Listen Up! on SoundCloud or Spotify to hear Mikkelsen’s insights on the future of maritime navigation and the steps operators can take to prepare for an increasingly challenging operating environment.